Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who holds the portfolio of water resources, was addressing the 125th meeting of the Tungabhadra Irrigation Advisory Committee at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The water release schedule for various channels under the Tungabhadra project was finalized for the 2025-26 rabi season at the 125th meeting of the Tungabhadra Irrigation Advisory Committee at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Friday.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also holds the portfolio of water resources, reviewed the availability of water in the Tungabhadra reservoir and discussed the supply constraints resulting from the ongoing installation of ridge gates in case the water level reaches 1,613 feet.
In view of these works, the Consultative Committee on Irrigation concluded that it would not be possible to secure water for the extended irrigation season and therefore decided to release water mainly for standing crops and basic uses, including drinking needs in summer.
Accordingly, it has been decided that water will be released into the Tungabhadra main canal on the left bank from 1 December 2025 to 10 January 2026 at the rate of 3,000 cusecs for standing crops.
The Vijayanagar Left Bank Canal will receive water from 1 January to 10 May 2026 at the rate of 150 cusecs, covering distribution channels 1 to 11, subject to availability.
For the high level right bank Tungabhadra canal, water will be supplied from 1 December 2025 to 10 January 2026 at the rate of 1,300 cusecs, while the low level right bank Tungabhadra canal will receive water during the same period at the rate of 750 cusecs only for standing crops.
The Raya Basavanna Canal will have an average storage of 250 cusecs from January 1 to May 31, 2026 or until water is available, whichever is earlier.
In addition, it has been decided to supply 150 cusecs to river-fed areas, including industrial units dependent on the system.
The committee also approved the release of water into the high level canal on the left bank from December 1 at 25 cusecs until the reservoir level falls to 1,585 feet.
Chairman and Irrigation Advisory Committee Minister Shivaraj S. Tangadagi said after the meeting that the schedule balances limited water availability with the need to protect standing crops in command areas.
He said the decision reflects the consensus reached after detailed discussion with people’s representatives, irrigation officials and district administrations.
The meeting was attended by Minister NS Boseraju, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, Regional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and senior officers of Irrigation and Agriculture Departments.
Published – 14 Nov 2025 20:44 IST
